FolkWorkshops August Newsletter

We get together to sing folk songs & play instruments in a tolerant & relaxed atmosphere of mutual encouragement and support.

Stop Press: Earth Oven Building 8th to 10th of August at Trewern Outdoor Centre.

It has been a rather odd ‘summer’ both as to strange weather, never ending sporting and Jubilee events and various missing or flooded out Folk Festivals. We are now planning for autumn and beyond and thinking of what musical activities could be undertaken. As well as the usual sessions and practices it is hoped to organise some special events but individuals who have ideas for sessions should not be slow in coming forward. Prime movers always welcome.

As far as teaching yourself something musical the Internet provides incredible resources to those who want to develop their skills. A quick look at Amazon’s book holdings is a good example. We recently did searches for books on Learning to Sing, Learning to play Slide Guitar, and various other topics and were spoilt for choice. At least with the books on singing you already have your instrument! So if you have any musical ambitions now is the time to start planning what you want to do when the dark evenings return. In our household both the English Concertina and the Anglo Concertina are currently being learnt. We both fear that the slimness of each tutor book does not indicate ease of  learning. Things are a bit noisy at times.

We are always interested to hear from others trying to learn a folk instrument or from those who teach an instrument or are singing teachers. We already have a small network of contacts with about 8 people learning. More details of those offering to teach would be most welcome. Should you be such a person please get in touch stating your terms and we will add you to our growing list of contacts.
FolkWorkshops is a network of people who want to enjoy folk music in its various forms and the internet makes possible the achievement of its full potential. It is therefore very pleasing that our twitter feed, @FolkWorkshops, is approaching 100 followers, that the FolkWorkshops Mailing List continues to grow steadily and that regular visits to Folk Music blogs continue within an overall page viewing rate of over 500 last month. Submissions for publication are always welcome.

So now is the time to make your autumn and winter plans. Here are some if the many activities which are currently on offer more locally:

Folk Evenings at the Crown Inn, Longtown: 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8.pm. All singers and musicians will be made very welcome at this sing around session. The next meet is Tuesday 21st August

Folk Sessions at Newton Church Room and Upper Maes Coed Chapel Room: Next session at Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August  8.00 p.m.

Harp Songs at the Harp, Glasbury on Wye, sing around sessions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. That means that this month it will be on Saturday 18th August, starting at about 8.30 p.m.  All singers and instrumentalists welcome.

STOP PRESS: EXTRA HARP EVENT:  SATURDAY 11th AUGUST Three young players from the Basque country will be performing their special brand of fiery music, with some interesting and unusual instruments on show. They were appearing at a small festival near Merthyr Tydfil a few weeks ago and had such a good time they came back. Phil says, ‘I've seen them twice now and been left breathless each time!’
There will also be support from a group of Welsh musicians. Please bring a supporting donation.

Black Hill Folk Singers: Our next get together will be at the Folk Session Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August  8.00 p.m.  All welcome.

Foxwhelp Morris ended their summer tour round the pubs of Herefordshire by returning to their base at The Yew Tree, Preston on Wye, on Tuesday 24th. It was a most enjoyable evening in this traditional country pub made all the more enjoyable by some excellent well kept real ale and complimentary roasted potato and sausage snacks from the landlord. With many thanks to the landlord.

Regular practice evenings are held on Tuesday evenings in Moccas so the Yew Tree is almost their local. If you have any interest in taking up the activity or have an interest in Morris tunes check them out on Google.

The Black Hill Tune Club meets on the first Thursday of the month.  The next meeting will be at Rhiannon and Simon Taylor’s house near Longtown on Thursday 6, September at the earlier time of 11.30.  (Light lunch provided £3.  Wine £1.50) 

Subsequent Thursday meetings will be at The Crown, Longtown 2-4pm.  To get in touch leave your contact details in the Comments box. These will be passed on and not published.


Clera Traditional Welsh Tune Workshops at The Globe Theatre, Hay on Wye
£7.50 (Student £5, Family £12)
Tutors:
Donald Stewart plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and whistle. Class for less experienced players
Bernard Kilbride, fiddle player. Class for more experienced melody players
Further details on www.sesiwn.com; pleasetelephone 029 20628300 for a booking form
£7.50 (Student £5 and Family £12)
1.30pm Registration
2.00pm - 4.30pm Workshops
5.30pm - 6.30 Whole Group Session
7.00pm Evening Session in the Globe Theatre main bar


FOLK WORKSHOP CONCERT FOR ST MARGARET'S CHURCH and SINGING WORKSHOP to be given by RAPSQUILLIAN

On the evening of SATURDAY OCTOBER 20TH  we shall be holding a concert in St Margaret's Church which will feature the well known Shropshire based folk singing group, 'RAPSQUILLION'. Seven singers and instrumentalists will perform songs from many lands loosely based around the theme of harvest. They will have had a busy summer on the music festival circuit and we are indeed fortunate to have them with us on this date.

All proceeds will go towards the proposed improvements to facilities at St Margaret's Church.
During the afternoon before the concert they have agreed to hold a SINGING WORKSHOP in the School Room at Upper Maescoed Methodist Chapel which will be open to all.

Further details of times and charges of both of these events will appear in the September FolkWorkshops Newsletter. If however you want to reserve tickets in advance  please leave contact details in Comments box.These will not be published.

Hope to see you at some of the above. In the meantime we hope to make a leisurely trip down south to do some folk music things.
Hoping for an Indian summer,

John and Jane Baxter